1. Sunday School Directors: Enlisting and Developing Bible Study Leaders

2. “I enlisted my problems”
“Most of the problems I have in Sunday School can be traced back to enlistment. In other words…”
“I enlisted my problems”
Allan Taylor
Groups Specialist, LifeWay

3. Enlist Group Leaders Properly
Enlist to a cause Enlist to a specific responsibility Enlist to specific expectations

4. Enlist Properly
“The way you enlist a leader says a lot about the importance of the ministry you want them to lead.”
Bob Mayfield
Sunday School specialist, BGCO

5. Enlist Properly
What do the following ways of enlistment communicate to a leader?
Enlisted in the hallway before Sunday School;
A plea from the pulpit during worship;
Sign-up form in the church foyer;
Personal enlistment over lunch or in the leader’s home?

6. Enlist Properly
What kind of understanding would a potential leader have of the importance of the ministry if they are enlisted in the following ways?
Enlisted in the hallway before Sunday School;
A plea from the pulpit during worship;
Sign-up form in the church foyer;
Personal enlistment over lunch or in the leader’s home?

7. Enlist to Expectations
Make a list of what you expect from your leaders, and enlist to those expectations.
Be specific and thorough
But be brief
Probably no more than 12 specific expectations

8. Enlist to Expectations
Examples:
Be on time
Prepare your lesson
Attend training
Organize your group
Teach approved literature
“Follow the pastor”
Set goals
Develop soulwinners

9. Where to Find Leaders
Ask current Sunday School leaders for names of group members who might be potential leaders
No one knows church members like the pastor!
Discipleship groups
People who help at Vacation Bible School
Disciple Now volunteers
Former Sunday School leaders
Group members who attend leadership training events

10. Developing Leaders
Rule of Thumb New leaders need more assistance. Experienced leaders need more coaching.

11. Developing Leaders
Discuss some ideas of how to assist and equip new leaders… Discuss some ideas of how to coach and equip experienced leaders…

12. Developing Leaders
Leadership training is a MUST Research by Georgia Baptists reveals that the #1 most common practice of its growing churches is that they provide ongoing leadership training.

13. Developing Leaders
Provide ongoing training Schedule regular leadership training Use social platforms Make training worth the leader’s time

14. Developing Leaders Provide ongoing training
Plan leadership opportunities one year in advance
Place leadership training on the church’s calendar
Do NOT cancel a leadership training event
Quarterly training (3-4 times/year) is a minimum
Quality trumps Quantity

15. Developing Leaders Schedule regular leadership training
Quarterly minimum
Many churches have success by offering lunch & training immediately following a Sunday morning service
Variety in training is essential
Always connect training to the church’s vision
Take attendance!!

16. Developing Leaders Use social platforms
Send text messages to encourage and keep leaders informed
Texting is simple
A text message usually receives an immediate read
Use a group messaging app on your phone to text all leaders at once (EX: GroupText or GroupMe)

17. Developing Leaders Use social platforms
Blogs, such as sundayschoolleader.com or bobmayfield.com
An online equipping platform such as the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s reconnectss.com

18. ReConnectSS.com Over 200 training videos for leaders of all age groups
Leaders receive “badges” as rewards
Only online certification of Sunday School leaders
21st century version of the old Church Study Course

19. ReConnectSS.com Explore the Bible Doctrine overview of each EtB lesson
Led by Dr. Scott Pace or Dr. Bobby Kelly of OBU
15 minutes of practical biblical doctrine taught specifically for that week’s lesson

20. ReConnectSS.com “My Church” feature Keep up with leaders’ progress
Use “My Church” to discover badges earned and reward leaders
Ask leaders to earn specific badges

21. ReConnectSS.com Subscribe Start Earning Badges!
Go to
Use your mobile phone to
Subscribe
and
Start Earning Badges!

22. Leadership Enlistment and Equipping…
Is an ongoing effort all year, not a seasonal effort Takes foresight and diligence Must involve close working relationship between the pastor and Sunday School director Pays big dividends in the future